
JEIMTATA. 

Page 6, line 25, for of, rend in. 

Page 7, line 31, for the, read thy. 

Page 8, line 33, for thoughtful, read thankful. 

Page 13, line 14, for cla7% read dasK. 

Page 19, line 12, for like a, rend with. 

Page 23, line 6, for cattle, read castle. 



BUFFALO: { 

STEAM PRINTING HOUSE OF BIGELOW BROTHER*^, j 

i88i. j 



GOLDEN ROD. 



L. N. T. 



COPYRIGHT SECURED. 




BUFFALO: 

STEAM PRINTING HOUSE OF BIGELOW BROTHER^;. 



:W^^^ 



e , ■ _ t ■• , SI 

PAGE. 

The Golden Rod, ------------- 5 

Racket River, ------ 6 

Something to Remember, --------- ^ 7 

The Story OF A Life, -_.-.. 7 

To A Bride, --------------- 8 

IsoLA Bella, -- 9 

A Wish, --------------- 10 

Crystal Wedding, -■ --_- n 

Silver Wedding, ------------ n 

Golden Wedding, - . _ - - . 12 

Tiny, ---------------- 12 

The Patient Stars, - 13 

A Christmas Welcome, -.--.-.... 14 

Lake and Mountains of Shroon, - 14 

" If I Should Die To-NiGHT," -------- 15 

New Year's Morn, ------16 

Little Donald, ------------- 17 

The Old Church of St. Paul, Fort Erie, Ontario, 18 
In Memoriam, ----..-------- ig 

The Old Chair's Apology, --------- 20 

The Story of an Old Cabinet, -.--.-- 20 
A Reminiscence of Ellicottville, Catt. Co , N. Y., 22 
Advanced to the Priesthood, -------- 24 



GOLDEN ROD 



H^^ITH golden rod and daisies 
^^^ The meadows are made bright, 
And all the flowers that bloom 

Live ever in God's sight; 
He clothes the hills in beauty, 

A glory all their own: 
Then think not thou, oh, darling, 

He forgets thee, thee alone. 

The hairs of thy head are numbered, 

Kot a sigh escapes his ear; 
He notes each throb of anguish. 

And counts each falling tear. 
He hears the ravens when they cry, 

He sees the sparrows fall. 
And, from the store-house of His love, 

He giveth unto all. 

These are the gracious words He said. 

The infinitely great, 
Who liveth now and evermore 

In majesty and state. 
We will not doubt the precious words 

In mercy to us given. 
Although we fail to comprehend 

The height and depth of Heaven. 



RACKET RIVER. 



To friends residing on the banks of the Racket River, Norfolk, 
St. Lawrence countj'-, New York. 

§H! rapid Racket River, 
Singing night and day; 
Pass not away so swiftly, 

Pray tell us what you say. 
We hear your clear soprano, 

Soprano high and low, 
Your bass and sweet contralto, 
But the words we do not know. 

Do 3^ou sing of the time primaeval. 

E'er footsteps crushed the sod; 
When the world in its earliest beauty, 

Came from the hand of God ? 
When the morning stars sang with deep joy 

Did you hear the glad refrain ? 
And are you listening, ever listening. 

To join the song again ? 

Then sing thou on forever. 

Oh! river, glad and free; 
Th.y voice like a benediction, 

Falls softly on the lea. 
Grant us a place in your deathless song. 

We fain some word would say, 
Of unwearied acts of kindness " 

Bestowed day after day. 

These are God's beacons of every age. 

Through all the darksome way; 
You may know theiii bv their shining. 

Those " Children of the day." 
Then sing thou on, O river. 

As thy bright waves lave the shore, 
Sing thou of love unchanging. 

Till time shall be no more. 

June, 1880. 



SOMETHING- TO REMEMBER. 



fHE foxes have their habitation, 
The birds their sheltered nest, 
But Christ, who sought our souls' salvation. 

Found not a place of rest. 
Oh! Man of Sorrows, bearing our anguish. 

Bearing our bitter grief, 
That thou might'st learn life's utmost trial. 
And learning, give relief. 

Where should we flee from tribulation, 

Could we not go to Thee; 
Where seek for rest, and consolation 

On life's tempestuous sea ? 
Higher and higher the wild waves rise. 

We shudder in the storm, 
And fain would pray, like those of old, 

Who waited for the morn. 

Yes, wait beloved, and be not weary, 

The Saviour's word is sure; 
Great the reward of God's dear children 

Who to the end endure. 
Eye hath not seen, nor hath ear heard 

The glories of that land; 
The joy unspeakable of those 

Who stand at God's right hand. 

THE STORY OF A LIFE. 



fHE morning was dark and stormy. 
The mid-day still was drear. 
But the clouds began to brighten 
As the evening hour drew near. 
Oh! twilight hour of all the hours, 

Thou surely art the best, 
'T is sweet to sit in the calm light 
And think, and be at rest. 



What though the shadows lengthen, 

A light beyond I see; 
And my heart is full of gladness. 

For the joy it brings to me. 
I put aside mj^ grief, my care. 

My tears and all my pain. 
For by its pure, clear light I see, 

Life's mysteries made plain. 

So I sit by the open window. 

That looks upon the sea; 
And watch and wait, for that fair ship 

Which will sometime come for me. 
I know its sails are never furled, 

ISTor storm nor tide can stay 
The speed of that mysterious ship, 

Which saileth night and day. 

At morning, noon or midnight. 

May I go with willing feet, 
And with heart and soul be ready 

The " King's messenger to greet." 
So I sit by the pleasant window 

Looking far beyond the sea. 
Where f hope to meet, through Christ our Lord, 

All the loved so dear to me. 

TO A BRIDE. 



§1^LY kind wishes, and nothing more ? 
Alas! how poor must be the store 
That could not find some simple gift for thee 
Thou fair young friend, who art so dear to me, 
But seeking through each nook I find but these 
Gay-painted flowers, and think will these poor trifles 
please ? 

Ah! could I give them living beauty, changeless, divine, 
And stay their fragrance, for each passing hour of thine, 
Their petals fair, such peaceful thoughts should bring 
That heart and soul with thoughtful joy should sing. 
And all thy life should be a song of praise. 
Through happy years, and through eternal days. 



ISOLA BELLA. 

(A lovelj' island in Schroon lake.) 

mEAR Isola Bella, 

^^ Gem of Schroon Lake, 

This little song- 

I sino; for thy sake; 
Still weak are my words 

Thy beauty to tell, 
So lovely thy rambles 

O'er hill and through dell. 

Thy ever-green trees, 

Majesticly stand, 
Keeping, like sentinels. 

Guard o'er the land; 
With silver-grey moss 

Thy rocks are made fair. 
And rare are the flowers 

And ferns that grow there. 

There's a path on the Island, 

(Be sure and go there). 
Where vibration falls clear 

On the pure mountain air. 
WJiere a wonderful grotto 

Lies hid from thy sight, 
With crystal and gold 

And gems all bedight. 

Some day, they will be 

All revealed to thy sight, 
Those radiant jewels 

Will gleam in the light. 
But now the soft shadows 

Steal over the hill. 
And away in the distance 

Sings tlie lone whip-poor-will. 



9 



The lights from the village 

Shine out like the stars, 
Reflect in the water 

Like long golden bars. 
The song of the boatman 

Sweeps over the waves, 
Echoed back like a chorus 

From the srrand mountain caves. 



And the musical waters 

In clear ripples break; 
Thou greetest the Island 

Oh! beautifnl Lake; 
While reflected in beauty 

Jn thy calm waters bright, 
Is seen Isola Bella 

By day and moon-light. 



A WISH. 



J^AY thy dread scythe away, Oh! Time, 
■^ And crown thyself with flowers, 
Thy dark glass fill with radiant gems. 

To mark her passing hours. 
And let thy tread be light, oh! Time, 

And gently fold thy wings, 
Give the peace that passeth knowledge, 

And the joy it ever brings. 



10 



CRYSTAL "WEDDING. 

§H! crystal bells, soft is your music, 
Like drops of water falling. 
Then ring gay chimes, ring sweet and clear. 
Voice unto voice with kindest wishes calling, 
Greeting with deepest joy the happy crystal year. 

Oh! happy, happy years. 
Time steps like rose-leaves softly falling 

With wings half folded seems lingering on the way. 
Oh! Time, fain would we stay thee, entreating, ever 
calling, 
Hide, hide life's brittle glass, oh! happy Time, and 
with us stay. 



SILVER "WEDDING. 



Middle watch. "All's well." 

tH! many a day has passed swiftly away 
Since you stood on youth's beautiful strand, 
And looked far away o'er life's quiet bay 

To a strange, but radiant land. 
A land Hope made bright with soft rosy light. 
Where the rude storms of life could not stay. 
Where the rippling waves each as they laved the white 
beach, 
Should gambol, like children at play. 

Thus you entered the ship and sailed out on the deep. 

With white sails to catch the fair breeze, 
Without the least fear, thinking never to veer. 

Sailed out into wide, unknown seas. 
You sailed from the land clasping warm hand in hand, 

Full freighted with Faith's jewels bright; 
With Love at the helm, no storm could o'er whelm. 

You feared not the darkness of night. 

11 



Since then many a gale has rent the white sail, 

While the gallant mast bent to the blast; 
Still, if anchor be sure, though storms should endure, 

You shall reach the "' Fair Haven " at last. 
Then what will it be, when you've crossed life's rough 
sea, 

Though the brave ship with tempest was tossed. 
When you reach the fair strand of that glorious land, 

With all your beloved — not one lost. 

October i8th, 1877. 

GOLDElSr WEDDING. 



§H! golden bells, the twilight hour is fallingj 
Gray shadows fall across the lengthened way, 
While voices from afar are softly calling, 

"Oh! dearest friends, we wait, why longer stay? 

" Why stay so long? are not earth's joys all fleeting. 
While sweet the rest within our heavenly home ? 

Here is no sin, no pain, no bitter weeping, 
But golden bells chime ever with sweetest tone. 

TINY. 



tjSTLY a little dog with soft, brown eyes so human, 
With silken hair and little pattering feet. 
And thou art dead! how can she help but weep! 
For she will miss thee many weary days. 
Thy loving watchfulness, thy cunning ways. 
Thy quick ear caught the footsteps of thy friend 
And gave her welcome, e'er she reached the door; 
Thou gavest her all thou hadst to give, thy love. 
And thou could'st do no more. 
Is love so cheap, so plentiful, that thine shall go for 

naught? 
Thy love which ne'er was sold and never bought. 
The best of human kind can do no more than this. 
Than give their changeless love the best of all great 
gifts. 



12 



THE PATIE]N]"T STARS. 



" The patient stars, 
Lean from their lattices, content to wait." 

— Bret H arte ^ from''' West Point Tic Tacs^ 

^gH! could I heed the lesson the stars forever teach! 
■^p But I, how can [ wait, the time has seemed so 

long! 
I know that they are blessed who wait, the patient, 

brave and strong, 
1 know the angels sing for them their sweetest song. 
But I, my heart is sick with hope so long deferred; 
The darkened days drag on like months, the months 

like weary years, 
How can I wait, crushed by foreboding fears! 
My eyes are dim with bitter, scalding tears; 
How can I wait, how can 1 wait so long! 

The stars are patient, they are so near heaven; 

They traverse not a dark and thorny path alone. 

No, they march in myriads round " the great white 

throne," 
And evermore we hear the echo of their song in low, 

sweet cadence, in solemn undertone; 
In the whispering breeze, in the dark and, murmur of 

far-off seas; 
The song they sang when the first morning broke, 
When God, himself, to murky chaos spoke. 
And all the universe to one grand anthem woke; 
But I, how can I wait, forevermore alone, alone! 



Forevermore alone? Alas, thine eyes are holden; 

Earth-blind, thou dost not see 

The angel legions surrounding thee. 

Infinite, changeless bliss is thine, by God's decree, 

Still tliou art free, the priceless gift to keep, to throw 

away. 
Oh! choose that better part, faint-heart, so sick,so wearj^ 
Then nevermore shall thy long days seem dreary, 
Lift thy tear-dimmed eyes from earth, -heaven's light 

see clearly. 
Then thou with joy shalt say, "Wait on, O patient 

stars, unto the perfect day." 

13 



A CHRISTMAS WELCOME. 



fHE doors open wide, 'tis the dear Christmas-tide, 
The Church of our Lord welcomes you; 
Though your sius be so red, they should bow down 
your head. 
Yet the welcome is verily true. 
Then from sin be released, 'tis the great Christmas feast, 

The angels sing now as of yore; 
All over the laud bright bands of them stand. 
With their greeting we enter the door. 

The table is spread with the wine and the bread, 

'Tis the banquet our dear Lord hath given; 
With thankfulness stay, O turn not away 

From the love which would lead you to heaven. 
In His courts we may sing, without fear we may bring 

The sick, and the halt, and the blind; 
And still there is room: come, weary ones, come. 

To our Lord ever gracious and kind. 

Then forever we'll raise our glad songs of praise 

To Him, our Redeemer and King. 
We had wandered away, like sheep gone astray, 

Now with joj^ and thanksgiving we sing. 
Oh! most happy day that taught us the way 

To find in the darkness the door 
That leads from the night to the glorious light, 

Where with Christ we may dwell evermore. 

Buffalo, N. Y., Christmas-tide, 1877. 

LAKE AND MOUNTAINS OF SCHROON. 



^AR in the distance we see thee silvery white, 
§^ In thy deep stillness, thou art gleaming bright ; 
Oil! Lake of Schroon. thou art a mirror, grand. 
In which sky, mountains, trees of this fair land 
Are all reflected as in a sea of glass, 
That sea alone, thy beautj^ can surpass; 

14 



Thy mountains fair point ever to the skies, 
Their changing beauty a new, glad surprise, 
Recalling to our memories that quaint old story, 

Of " mountains delectable," 
Whence could be seen the world of glory. 
Yet, on your height a shadowy cross lies low;* 
Reminding us that in earth's greatest joy 

There may be woe. 
A cross is seen which grows more perfect as we longer 

gaze, 
Until it vanishes in evening's golden haze. 

Here we are pilgrims traveling a path by thorns ftiade 

dreary ; 
The same sad path others have trod before, fearless 

though weary. 
We trace their steps by many a track made red, 
And hear with joy the brave, true words they said; 
Words of sweet cheer, through sorrow a,ll the way. 
They faltered not nor turned, those " children of the 

day." 
With them believing, through Christ we can endure, 
Living to him. Heaven's joys we shall secure; 
Looking beyond your utmost height, 
Oh! mountains, crowned with purple, gold and white. 

"IF I SHOULD DIE TO-NIGHT," 



MF thou, dear friend, should'st die to-night, 

4 Put thy whole trust in God, He only knows the right. 

Thy sobbing voice is all too weak, 

Hope not to break the careless sleep 

Of cold indifference, that giveth little thought 
Of what thy willing hands have done. 
The thorny path o'er which thy feet have run, 
So glad to do love's lightest bidding: 
Then cease thy prayer, vain is thy pleading. 

* Looking north from the head of Schroon Lake there is a niountain 
called '' Owl's Pate." There two ravines, heavily wooded, crossing each 
other at right angles, form a gigantic cross, which seems to be lying on 
the ground. 

15 



Ask not for love, it changetli ever. 
.As fickle as the wind, it stayeth never: 
Find peace in this, thine own will come to thee, 
As rivers reach the deep and distant sea. 

But thou must wait a little while. 
'Till cruniblino- dust doth on thee fall. 
And cover, like a funeral pall. 
Thy poor pale face, so cold: 

Ah! then, they will recall thy prayer, and thy sad 
pleading. 

Yes, dearest friend, when thou art dead. 
Thy'cold hands folded, thy weary spirit fled: 
Thinking- of thee, sad shall th.y memory be. 
With this one mournful thought. "■ It might have been." 
But now 'tis all too late, th}^ lips will never ask again 
For sj^mpathy long asked in vain. 
For what avails it now to thee! 
Th}^ feet have froBsed life's stormy sea, 
Hushed, evermore, is thy sad praj^er. thy earnest 
pleading. 

NEAA^ YEAR'S MORN. 



^HE bells ring out so gaylj^, 
1^ They ring so loud ancl clear. 
Bight joyfully" they greet thee. 

Thou new. thou untried jenr. 
Ah! they dread not the future, 

For they weep not for the past, 
And the Siren's voice doth whisper 

Earth's happiness shall last. 

I, too, once listened gladly, 

I believed all that she said; 
How hath she kept her promise? 

Go look upon my dead! 
Grave after grave ye number, 

My home, \vhat is it now ? 
Behold its desolation, 

And trust not to her vow. 



16 



Yes, darkness deep hath settled, 

On the hearth-stone once so gay, 
Light after light hath faded. 

Till they all have passed away. 
And yet, how had I trusted! 

I had said 't will surely be, 
There must, there must be happiness 

On earth in store for me. 

And carefully I sought for it, 

As treasures hid away; 
Untiringly and faithfully 

I sought, day after day. 
Thus vainly came each warning, 

I still refused to see; 
But oh! what hath earth's promise been. 

But a broken reed, to me ? 

LITTLE DONALD. 



I say unto you, that their angels do always behold the face of my Father 
which is in Heaven.— St. Matthew, xviii., lo. 

SpKIS angel came: 't was past the hour of noon, 
^f (The day was growing dark, 'mid grief and 

gloom). 
He came to us, came to our room and waited there 

with folded wings, 
As one would wait who some sad message brings. 

Our hearts were filled with such deep pain, 
We did not see him when he came; 
We did not hear the first words said, 
Our thoughts were only with our dead. 
At last we raised our streaming eyes. 
And saw the angel with glad surprise; 
A glorious light shone 'round his head, 
And sweet the precious words he said, 
As stooping low he raised our dead, 
And gently laid him on his breast. 
As mothers hush their babes to rest. 

17 



"For our dear Lorcl, for Christ's dear sake. 
This little child in love I take; 
Fear not to trust him thus with me, 
I'll bear him safe o'er death's dark sea 
To that dear home so bright, so fair; 
No sin, no pain shall reach him there; 
His feet shall tread that radiant shore 
With blessed saints forevermore — 
For him the storms of life are o'er." 

And, speaking thus, he passed away, 
As fades the last pale gleam of day. 

January 6th, 1879. 

The Old Church of St. Paul, Fort Erie, Ontario. 

§UR thoughts go back to the days long past, 
To the long years past and gone. 
When thy foundation first was laid 

By loving hnnds and strong; 
On the fair hill-side on the river bank, 

Here, on consecrated sod. 
Was raised this sacred temple 
To the love and praise of God. 

Through all the changes of the changing years 

Unchanging love hath called us here; 
Ilath called us here with sweetest bell 

Ringing out loud and clear. 
Thine aisles have echoed to the tread 

Of happy bridal feet; 
Here faithful vows been spoken, 

True unto death to keep. 

And we have brought our precious dead 

Within thy shade to lie; 
Here listened to those lessons 

Teaching to live and die. 
Oh! blessed dead, the morning sun 

Throws rosy light, and clear, 
Like a loving benediction. 

On those who slumber here; 

18 



And grand old trees still keep their guard, 

O'er church and lonely grave; 
Like faithful sentinels they stand 

Unbending, strong and brave. 
Another church more stately, 

May throw its shadow here: 
To the hearts of thy faithful children 

-T will never be more dear. 

Now oft iu the quiet twilight, 

When we sit in our homes alone, 
Thy memory shall come again 

Like a sweet and solemn tone, 
Chiding our worldliness and pride, 

Pointing the narrow way 
That leadeth from life's darkness 

To bright and perfect day. 

Then we, once more, thy children. 

Within thy walls shall stand 
Unbroken, undivided, 

A strong, united band; 
This is thy teaching. Mother, 

Thy love the same for all; 
Thy gentle arms fold each alike 

Thy children great and small. 

Buffalo, N. Y., July, 1878. 



IN MEMORIAM. 



" Her sun went down while it was yet day, but to the pure in heart 
there ariseth light in darkness." 

fLOSE her dear eyes, no more to weep. 
Fold her pale hands, she's gone to sleep. 
Yes, cross her feet, life's journey ended, 
Gone to her home by angels tended ; 
Escaped from pain, from death, from sorrow. 
For her there is no sad to-morrow. 



19 



Under the snow so pure and white, 

Under the snow from mortal sight, 

With hearts that ache, with eyes that weep, 

We lay her down in her dreamless sleep; 

Above the snow, so pure so white, 

Angels keep guard through time's short night. 



THE OLD CHAIR'S APOLOGY. 

tEAR MADAM, 
Thiak not I'm a very bold chair 
For presuming to come to your mansion so fair; 
My mistress has sent me, like Noah's poor dove, 
And hopes you'll receive me, for the sake of her love. 
For she wished e'er the dust should have covered her 

face, 
To find me a friend, a home, and a place 
Where I should be happy, not left in the cold, 
Despised and neglected because I am old. 
So do not refuse me and turn me away, 
But just give me leave in your bright home to stay; 
In your own pleasant room, please, find me a place 
Where at morn and at eve I may see your dear face, 
And I'll whisper low of years long gone by, 
And memories sweet that never shall die, 

February 27th, 1875. 

THE STORY OF AKT OLD CABINET. 



flsTE hundred and fifty years, ah! me, 
How the time has flitted away! 
I was sent to Miss Clare as a present, 

Very well I remember the day; 
To the house of seven gables 

With halls so stately and grand : 
'T was the richest and fairest mansion 
In all the pleasant land. 



20 



Then spoke my fair young mistress, 

I hear her sweet voice now; 
The liglit from a painted window 

Fell on her pure, white brow: 
" You are just what I wished for," she said, 

" In my room you shall have a place; 
"You look like a quaint old picture 

"Full of beauty and every grace." 

Then she praised my lovely color, 

Like the light on deep sea wave, 
My bands of gold, and scarlet lines 

Like coral from Mermaids' caver. 
And she said, " For the sake of the giver, 

"To her heart I should ever be dear;" 
And she sang : " Fll remember thee ever," 

Her voice trilling out sweet and clear. 

And then in gayest procession 

I was marched away to the room 
Where were balconies filled with sweet flowers, 

Brightening each nook with their bloom. 
'T was the loveliest room in the mansion. 

With sandal-wood bracket and stand; 
Here love had gathered its treasures 

From many a far-off land. 

Y^ou could not hear even a footfall 

O'er its carpet, like silver-grey moss; 
But there hung o'er the richly carved mantel 

A mystical, shadowy cross. 
Yes, within that stately mansion, 

In each room, both great and small. 
There ever lurked a sombre shade. 

To whisper unto all. 

But my dear young lady, she had no fear, 

It found in her thoughts no place; 
For her heart was filled with God's dear love 

And every Christian grace. 
I wish T could paint you her picture 

As she walked in the light, day by day. 
Oh! the years have been long, and so dreary, 

Since she from the earth passed away. 

21 



J 



And now shall I tell you the reason 

My color resembles a pall ? 
'T is Time who hath wrought these sad changes; 

He bringeth like sorrow to all. 
He has talven away all my gladness, 

My scarlet and gold's passed away. 
I am writing in night's quiet sadness, 

Waiting the dawn of tlie day. 



A Reminiscence of Ellicottvllle, Cattaraugus County, N". Y. 



^p LITTLE grass, some autumn leaves 

■^p Having naught else, I send you these; 

But could I paint the picture fair. 

And show you all the beauties rare 

Of the greeu vale from whence they came. 

Grasses and leaves would favor gain. 

They grew within a glen so still, — 

You only heard a distant mill; 

And nature's self seemed gone to sleep, 

While silence kept her vigil sweet. 

Bordered by wild flowers, bright and gay, 

A winding path led far away; 

While ferns and vines gone quite astray. 

Would still invite our longer stay; 

And daisies white and bending grass, 

Fain would refuse to let us pass. 

At last we reached the distant height, 
And looked abroad in glad delight. 
On lovely hills so fair to view. 
In misty veils of palest blue; 
While light and shade by turns held sway. 
Contending which should longest stay. 
Between the hills and meadows bright, 
A little stream, wild with delight, 
Went dancing o'er the pebbles white; 
Went singing on in thoughtless glee. 
Until it reached the distant sea. 



22 



We here looked down on fields so green, 
Dressed in sucli robes of fairest sheen, 
That monarch grand, in days of yore, 
Ne'er wore a robe so 'broidered o'er; 
And groups of elms made pictures rare 
Of stately cattle, grand and fair; 
You almost heard the bugle call 
That summoned forth from castle hall; 
And fancy-pictured ladies gay. 
On snow-white palfries lead the way; 
While knights and lords in silence stood, 
Holding their falcons, each in hood; 
Then joined the cavalcade so gay 
For one right regal holiday! 
Thus playful fancy holding sway, 
Chased all my sober thoughts away. 

But turning back once more I greet, 
(And in my heart thy picture keep) 
Thee, thou dear village, 'mid the hills. 
Thy peaceful homes, I see them still, 
Thy stately trees, so grand, so tall. 
Oh, softly may their shadows fall 
On cottage low, and pleasant hall. 
Yes, lovely vale, with beauty bless'd, 
In peace and plenty may'st thou rest, 
But better boon than earth can give, 
May each dear soul in Jesus live. 

In the grave-yard lone and still 

I hear the murmuring of the rill 

As it sweeps o'er the pebbly shore, 

Past feet of those who come no more 

To cheer our hearts as they did of yore; 

For they are gone, through the "low, green door, 

To that far-ofi laud, that peaceful shore. 

But the little stream doth ceaseless sing 

Of happier days and endless spring. 

When, all onr sins by Christ forgiven. 

We reach at last our home in Heaven. 

September, 1878, 

23 



ADVANCED TO THE PRIESTHOOD. 



We are able.— 52". Matt.^ xx. 22. 

fHEN" take thou this, the Cross, iron-spiked and 
heavy, 

To be thy standard true, until thy life shall end. 
If 'tis thine only choice, deliberate and solemn. 

Then to that wish all earthly toil must tend: 
To do thy Masters will, with "faith unfaltering, 

With changeless love, with willing heart and hand. 
To guide the fearful, cheer the broken-hearted, 

Leading by word and life unto that better land: 
To put aside all wish for earthly glory. 

To count as dross all that the world holds dear. 
Seeking with care for those dear foot-steps holy, 

Dreadiug naught else if only God be near. 
Dost thou not fear, O, soldier, art thou able 

To bear through life this standard faithfully and 
brave. 
Ever to glory in this sign of degradation. 

For His dear sake who died thy soul to save? 



(^O be it then; then go thou forth to battle, 

^ In God's great name be faithful, true and brave, 

ISTot with sweet music, but with prayer most solemn, 

Commending thee to Him who hath the power to save. 
Yes, go thou forth, thou herald of the Cross, 

Be thou a leader foremost on the field; 
Where e'er thy duty calls to life or death, 

Though foes be legion, fear thou not, nor yield, 
Remember death alone can crown thy life's endeavor; 

If, when the conflict's past, thou shouldst a victor be. 
Then with loud anthem, praise and sweet thanksgiving, 

Christ our dear Lord, with.joy will welcome thee. 



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